The “Whats” and the “Whys” of Acoustic Windshields
With today’s advanced technology, our vehicles are constantly getting improvements and advancements, making them more durable and capable in many ways. While most would think that mainly for the engines and interior, your windshields are also getting better and sturdier than before. An example of such which many car enthusiasts might agree wholeheartedly is the invention of acoustic windshields. Before we dive right into that specific windshield type, let us first look at the type of glasses available on the market.
Primarily, there are two kinds of glass when it comes to car windshields, windows and lights – Tempered Glass and Laminated Glass.
Tempered Glass
Through a process of high temperature and toughening process, tempered glass lowers impact-related damages and breakage. Hence, if the glass was hit by something externally, your safety will not be compromised. It is highly durable and efficient in noise reduction and vibrations inside your car.
Laminated Glass
This is what we will mainly look at in this article whereby an interlayer of PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral) is sandwiched between two sheets of glass to ensure adhesion. PVB is a type of resin that provides toughness without compromising the mass of the windshield or window. This interlayer is an extra layer of protection against any damages or breakage that may impact your vehicle. Yet another highly durable, intrusion resistant glass that dampens noise and vibration for a better driving experience.
What is an acoustic windshield?
Simply put, an acoustic windshield consists of added soundproofing insulation. To create this, in between the two windshield glass would have layers of Standard PVB and an acoustic interlayer PVB between it. Basically, what it does is that it dampens sound while ensuring your safety as you drive through acoustic interlayers.
With acoustic windshields, there are different types or ranges such as a soundscreen windshield or the solar soundproofing windshield that helps combat climate change. If you have noticed in all Ford and Lincoln car models, they have soundscreen acoustic glass on both their windshields and doors. Acoustic windshields make your driving experience much quieter and calm as compared to its external surroundings.
How to tell if you have an acoustic windshield?
A way to know if you have an acoustic windshield is by checking the bottom of the driver’s side windshield. It should state clearly “acoustic” or “A” or a symbol of an ear with a curved arrow if it is indeed an acoustic windshield. For some vehicle models such as Ford, they would have a sticker that states “Soundscreen”. Aside from the windshield, car windows may have engraved serial numbers as well.
The difference between a regular and acoustic windshield
The only aspect that is different between a regular windshield and acoustic windshield is its film in between the windshield glasses.
For regular laminated windshields, its interlayer film is plastic. The transparent plastic film with adhesion performance does not reduce or dampen any noise coming through. As we all know, air cooling utilises a significant amount of fuel. On the positive note, regular laminated windshields help reduce fuel usage as it helps lower the temperature of the car.
Now, for acoustic windshields, there has been a recent improvement of the acoustic dampening window films between the glasses to help dampen sound. These newly improved interlayers reduce around 2 to 3 dB (decibels).
The difference between an acoustic windshield and double glazed windshield
Also known as the laminsafe glass, a double glazed windshield is formed using two pieces of glass separated by an air gap. These pieces are heavier in mass which proves effective in noise reduction.
The sheets of glass for an acoustic windshield are thinner by about 4mm, making it lighter on your vehicle while keeping its abilities to reduce noise using an acoustic film in between.
Why do you need an acoustic windshield?
If you do not have an acoustic windshield already, take this article as your sign to start considering one. Undeniably, the main benefit of having an acoustic windshield is the noise dampening and reduction within the vehicle but like just about anything, there are other advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the size of the windscreen, the average cost of an acoustic windshield can range between $500 to $1,200.
| Pros | Cons |
| Noise reduction | Depending on the grade and brand, it can get rather costly |
| Secure as it would take much longer to break through than a regular laminated windshield | |
| Helps reduce UV rays from coming in, preventing damage to vehicle interior and human health | |
| Reduces car vibrations within the vehicle |
Where can you get one?
Oftentimes, taking care of the parts in our car like the windshields or car windows can get overlooked. Before it gets too late, it is best to be prepared with all the necessary information for an easier process in the future.
Wish to know more about an acoustic laminated windshield or acoustic front side glass? Dean’s Autoglass has a great balance of car experts and car enthusiasts to help you know better to make an informed choice if you plan on changing your windshield. Contact us at Dean’s Autoglass and we will do our best to assist you in repairs, customer service and consultations.